(PNA file photo)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The municipal government of Candelaria in Zambales has ordered the stricter implementation of biosecurity measures to contain and prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
This came in the wake of a confirmed report of hogs infected with ASF in three villages of the town.
Mayor Byron Jones Edquiling, in his directive on Tuesday, required all barangays in Candelaria to establish ASF prevention and biosecurity measures, in consultation with the Municipal Agriculture Office.
Edquiling cited the need to establish stricter measures to prevent the transmission of the disease following reports of ASF-infected pigs in the villages of Libertador, Panayonan and Taposo.
In a radio interview on Wednesday, the mayor said that blood samples taken from the hogs showed traces of the ASF virus based on validated laboratory test results.
He, however, did not give details on the exact number of ASF-infected pigs in their town.
The mayor said he already met with barangay officials and agreed to strictly control and monitor the entry points for swine, including farms, markets, slaughterhouses and transport vehicles.
“Kailangan ng matinding checkpoint sa border natin (There is a need for a strict checkpoint in our borders),” he said.
In the event of a suspected case, he said the barangay must immediately notify the municipal veterinary office and follow the guidelines for sample collection, testing and reporting.
“Kailangan alamin ng mga barangay officials yung mga residente na nag-aalaga ng mga baboy (There is a need for barangay officials to determine residents who are raising pigs),” he added.
He also said they will not allow to sell pigs without a health certificate from the Municipal Agriculture Office.
Meanwhile, he called on the public to stop feeding their pigs with swill as this could be a potential carrier of the virus. (PNA)
